MSc (T) Applied Cyber Security with Professional Internship

Academic Year 2016/17

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.

Programme Title

MSc (T) Applied Cyber Security with Professional Internship

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Master of Science

Programme Code

ELE-MSC-CP

UCAS Code

JACS Code

H610 (DESCR) 100

Criteria for Admissions

A 2.1 Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical and/or Electronic Engineering, Mathematics with Computer Science, Physics with Computer Science, or a related discipline.
Applicants who hold a 2.2 Honours degree and a Masters degree (or equivalent qualifications acceptable to the University) in one of the above disciplines will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
All applicants will be expected to have mathematical ability and significant programming experience as evidenced either through the content of their primary degree or through another appropriate formal qualification.

REGULATION INFORMATION

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations (Please see General Regulations)

No

Programme Specific Regulations

The pass mark for taught modules is 50%.

Students who fail one or more taught modules up to the value of 40 CATS points will only have the opportunity to resit failed modules once at the next available opportunity, with the mark used in calculating the final award capped at 50%.
Students who, at the first attempt, have failed taught modules with a combined value greater than 40 CATS points, or who have failed the same module twice, will normally not be permitted to proceed to the individual research project and will be required to transfer to the PGCert. Such students will be referred to the Pastoral Care Committee.

Normally, students must have satisfactorily completed all required taught modules (120 CATS points) to be permitted to complete the individual research project.
The school will facilitate a process for students to apply for internships but does not guarantee that students will be placed. Students enrolled on the 2-year MSc Applied Cyber Security with Professional Internship who are unable to secure an internship during the facilitation process will be required to transfer to the 1-year MSc Applied Cyber Security and undertake a normal individual research project.
The pass mark for the research project module is 50%. There is no resit or possibility to resubmit the original project. Students who fail the individual research project will not be eligible for the MSc award. Students who fail the individual research project will be considered for the award of PGDip. Projects may be assessed by the external examiner, and marks finalised at the board of examiners meeting.

Students with protected characteristics

Support For Students And Their Learning

Systems Designed to Provide General Pastoral and Academic Guidance:
1. All students are allocated a project supervisor who provides general academic and personal support and encouragement, and advice on pastoral issues.
2. The Course Co-ordinator provides advice and support for 'students at risk' (i.e., those considered to be at risk of failing examinations or who have serious personal, academic or health problems). The Course Co-ordinator will also deal with cases referred by Project Supervisors.
3. A female member of staff is available for consultation by female students.
4. All students have access to the University Health and Counselling Services, Students' Union, University Careers Service and Student Support Services.
5. All students have access to the University Harassment Advisers.
6. Under University Regulations designated procedures are in place to process complaints made by students.

Systems Designed to Support Students' Experience of the Learning and Teaching Process
1. An induction programme for new students is held during the first week of Semester 1.
2. All students receive a copy of the handbook for the course.
3. All students have access to the Queen's intranet services which offers:
(i) E-mail communication with staff.
(ii) Access to learning and teaching materials (i.e., syllabi, lecture and tutorial outlines and other course materials).
(iii) Opportunities to participate in discussion with teachers and other students.
4. Students have access to University libraries and Student Computer Centres.
5. Staff/Student Consultative Committee provides a forum for consultation and discussion between staff and students. SCC is convened at least once each semester.
6. Staff will communicate regularly with students during their period of internship to provide support and guidance.
7. Facilities are available within the School and adjacent teaching facilities to aid students with physical disabilities; the School also adheres to University policy concerning the support of students with sensory, learning and physical disabilities

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME

The aim of the programme is to offer a multi-disciplinary education in cyber security that prepares graduates with key knowledge, skills and competencies necessary for employment in technical development, cyber risk analysis, managerial positions such as Chief Information Security Officer, or as preparation for further research.

On completion of the programme the student will be able to:
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of cyber security, which will remain applicable through changes in technology.
• Apply advanced knowledge and practical skills in the theory and practice of cyber security.
• Demonstrate skills and techniques necessary to embark on careers as security analysts, cyber security officers, or professional developers skilled in cyber security.
• Apply skills in a range of practices, processes, tools and methods applicable to cyber security in commercial and research contexts.
• Solve problems based on exposure to, and practical experience in, a range of current technologies and emerging trends at the forefront of cyber security.
• Demonstrate the development of practical skills in a commercial or research context.

Consistent with the general Educational Aims of the Programme and the specific requirements of the Benchmarking Statement for Master’s degrees in Computing, this specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme, and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.

Specifically, students graduating from the programme will have achieved the following learning outcomes, commensurate with degree classification, relating to subject specific knowledge and understanding; intellectual, practical and key transferable skills.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Describe potential cyber-attacks and the actors that might perform them.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Knowledge primarily developed in modules where specific security issues are presented, as well as project.